Hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 created excessive financial stress on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) because the organization was compelled to decrease its domestic spending to stay financially viable. According to PTI, the PCB took major cost cutting measures including the reduction in domestic match fees and removal of five star accommodation for the players.
Expensive Stadium Renovations and Overdraft
The PCB invested 14 billion PKR to refurbish three stadiums in Karachi and Rawalpindi and Lahore to welcome back the ICC tournament after its 1996 absence in Pakistan. Insufficient revenue has led the board to accept 3 to 6 billion PKR of overdraft money to fund its operation.
Reduction in Match Fees for Domestic Cricket
The PCB decreased National T20 Cup match fees yet failed to disclose these adjustments officially to domestic cricketers first by reducing fees from Rs 40,000 to Rs 10,000 until raising them to Rs 30,000. Domestic cricketers became dissatisfied with the match fees so the PCB adjusted the payment to Rs 30,000 yet this amount remained Rs 10,000 less than what players received in 2024.
Cost-Cutting Measures in Player Accommodation
Physical accommodation for players underwent reduction following the choice of less expensive hotels compared to five-star facilities as described by PTI.
Delayed Payments and Stalled Pension Scheme
Both the payments for domestic players and umpires from the last season remain outstanding at the PCB while the retirement benefits for Test cricketers currently remain dormant due to funding issues.
Financial Losses and Poor Tournament Performance
The tournament investment made by Pakistan will bring back only minimal financial returns. The PCB will receive 1.68 billion PKR from hosting fees but total revenue will be minimized by gate collection. The Pakistan cricket team’s poor Group A ranking during the tournament has deepened their financial losses together with their last place finish.